Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday River Update

...THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN WISCONSIN... CRAWFISH RIVER AT MILFORD AFFECTING JEFFERSON COUNTY ROCK RIVER AT JEFFERSON AFFECTING JEFFERSON COUNTY ROCK RIVER AT FORT ATKINSON AFFECTING JEFFERSON COUNTY

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE CRAWFISH RIVER AT MILFORD. * UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 0700 PM THURSDAY THE STAGE WAS 7.2 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FLOOD STAGE IS 7.0 FEET. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 8.1 FEET BY MONDAY MORNING THEN BEGIN FALLING. * IMPACT...AT 8.1 FEET...THERE IS WIDESPREAD FLOODING OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND LOWLAND. THERE IS WIDESPEAD FLOODING IN THE RIVERBEND CAMPGROUND...ABOUT 5 MILES UPSTREAM. THIS LEVEL IS CONSIDERED TO BE ABOUT A 5 YEAR FLOOD.

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE ROCK RIVER AT JEFFERSON. * UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 0715 PM THURSDAY THE STAGE WAS 10.8 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FLOOD STAGE IS 10.0 FEET. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 11.0 FEET BY TOMORROW EARLY AFTERNOON THEN BEGIN FALLING. * IMPACT...AT 11.3 FEET...FLOODWATERS AFFECT LOW LYING AREAS OF RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS PROPERTY IN JEFFERSON...INCLUDING THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 26 AND COUNTY ROAD N AND ALONG RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN THE AREA OF THE WASTEWATER PLANT.

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE ROCK RIVER AT FORT ATKINSON. * UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 0705 PM THURSDAY THE STAGE WAS 6.8 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FLOOD STAGE IS 6.0 FEET. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 7.0 FEET BY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THEN BEGIN FALLING. * IMPACT...AT 7.1 FEET...WATER TOUCHES HIGHWAY 106 EAST OF FORT ATKINSON

LOW PRESSURE WILL GATHER STRENGTH OVER TEXAS TONIGHT AND BEGIN TO TRACK NORTHEAST FRIDAY. WHILE THE EXACT TRACK OF THE LOW IS STILL UNCERTAIN...MODELS ARE BEGINNING TO AGREE THE LOW WILL TRACK FROM ARKANSAS SATURDAY MORNING TO SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN BY LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

ABUNDANT MOISTURE STREAMING NORTHWARD AHEAD OF THE LOW WILL WRAP AROUND AND GENERATE SNOW LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT ACROSS SOUTHERN WISCONSIN. A NARROW BAND OF HEAVY SNOW COULD SET UP ALONG AND SOUTHEAST OF A LINE FROM JANESVILLE TO SHEBOYGAN. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...WHICH COULD LEAD TO RAPID ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE MILWAUKEE METRO AREA.

CURRENT INDICATIONS SUGGEST SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 6 TO 9 INCHES ACROSS MUCH OF SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN... TAPERING OFF RAPIDLY TO AROUND 3 INCHES NEAR THE WISCONSIN DELLS. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE WHERE THE HEAVIEST BAND OF SNOW SETS UP AND PERSISTS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME.

IN ADDITION...NORTHEAST WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN TO 15 TO 25 MPH... GUSTING UP TO 35 MPH. AS A RESULT...AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ARE POSSIBLE SATURDAY NIGHT.

Looking for updated fishing conditions?

Local Shore Fishing Locations

· Okauchee Lake: Shore fishing is available at the public boat landing. Take HWY 16 to the Sawyer Road exit. Turn left at the T-intersection, and drive through the town of Okauchee. At the clock tower, veer left and then go about a ¼ mile to Road T, which is a right hand turn. Free parking for cars is available.

· Moose Lake: Shore and pier fishing is available at the Moose Lake Public Launch area. This launch has been improved over the last few years and a nice park like area is available to shore fisherman. The Launch area is just off Highway C, across from Cedar Bay road.

· Nashotah Park: Just off of the corner of HWY C and HWY R in Nashotah there is a park and ride. Across HWY R, there is a low fence that marks access to the Forest Lake area of Nashotah Park. Anglers have to hike down the hill, but the entire shoreline of the small lake is available for shore-fishing.

· Fowler Lake: There is space for shore fishing by the Labelle/Fowler Dam, at the boat landing and in the Riverside Park. The lake is just off HWY 16 in Downtown Oconomowoc. The boat landing is behind city hall.

· Nagawicka Lake: Two areas allow public shore fishing access. There is some space at the public launch in the County Park off of HWY 83 near Delafield. A second option allows you to access St John's Bay and a section of the Bark River. Take HWY C to where the Military Academy is. There is a small park just south of downtown Delafield on the east side of the road.

· Pewaukee Lake: Located in Nagawaukee County Park on the west side of the lake. From I-94, north on State Highway 83 for 1/8 mile, east on County Highway DR 1 1/2 miles, north on County Highway E to park entrance. Park fee is charged. There is also a public fishing pier along the city strip near the beach on the east end.

·Ottawa Lake: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From State Highway 67, west on County Highway ZZ for 1/3 mile to park entrance. State Park sticker required for entry.

· Paradise Springs: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From downtown Eagle, west 1 mile on State Highway 59 to County Highway N, north on N for about 1/2 mile to site. State Park sticker required for entry. Artificial lures only.

·Lower Phantom Lake: Located in Phantom Glen Park. From County Highway ES, west on Andrews Street to park entrance.